Okay, so blindingly bright hues look great on the runway, but in real life? You needn't worry. “Neon polish is actually illegal to produce in the US,” says Jan Arnold, co-founder and creative director of CND Colours. “So if you see a neon shade in the store, it’s imported—or your polish hue is just really bright, not a true neon, making it easier to pull off.” Good to know. But if you're still hesitant about trying loud lacquer, heed these tips:

1. No need to dive in headfirst: CND has a new "Effects" top coat called “Pigments,” which amps up the polish you're wear beneath it. Baby pink becomes hot pink; lavendar morphs into grape. $8; Click to Buy

2. If taking baby steps is more your style, try one coat of a sheer bright, like Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in Yellow Brick Road ($16; Click to Buy). It adds a pop of color that's less in-your-face and more just-keeping-pace with what's in style.

3. Keep your nails short. Long, talon-like shapes were popular on the runway, but they are rarely (if ever) a practical idea for daily wear.

Ready to go whole hog? Our favorites: OPI Brights! in Teal the Cows Come Home ($8; Click to Buy), a deep teal-blue and Deborah Lippmann nail lacquer in I Know What Boys Like ($16; Click to Buy), a lavender-tinged periwinkle